Access to social media by minors could soon be regulated by new European rules. Following recommendations from an expert group on online child safety, the European Commission announced that it will present a legislative proposal after the summer to introduce age limits and a gradual access to digital platforms. The goal is to strengthen the protection of minors, while pressure is growing from numerous Member States for the Union to adopt common rules.
THE EXPERTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS
The expert group established by the European Commission, co-chaired by German child psychiatrist Jörg Fegert and French epidemiologist Maria Melchior, recommends banning access to services defined as “social media plus” for children under 13. The category includes not only social networks but also other platforms characterized by features considered unsuitable for the age or capable of encouraging compulsive behaviors, such as video games and AI-based chatbots.
According to the report, under-13s should be able to use these services only for limited periods and under the supervision of parents, guardians, or teachers. From age 13 onwards, access should be gradual, provided that platforms demonstrate they offer safe and age-appropriate environments for users. The experts also propose reversing the burden of proof, requiring companies to demonstrate the safety of their services before making them available to minors.
Among other indications, according to the Guardian, are a ban on screen exposure before age three, except for exceptions such as video calls, and limited and supervised use between ages three and twelve.
THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSAL
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that Brussels will present a legislative proposal after the summer. “It is clear that we need age-appropriate restrictions on platforms,” she said, adding that “it is not about deciding whether children can access social media. It is about establishing if and when social media can access our children.”
As anticipated, Bloomberg writes that the Commission intends to introduce a “gradual and progressive” access system for different age groups. For under-13s, use would be allowed only under adult supervision, while restrictions for teenagers would depend on the safety guarantees offered by platforms.
Von der Leyen also argued that responsibility for online safety should primarily lie with tech companies. “In Europe, those who develop a product are responsible for its safety. We do not expect children to design their own seat belts nor parents to install airbags at home. The same principle must also apply to large tech companies,” she stated.
THE REASONS AND THE ROLE OF PLATFORMS
The recommendations are also based on data collected by the working group. Research reports that young people spend on average between four and six hours a day in front of screens and nearly 60% of children have experienced emotional or psychosocial problems linked to the online experience.
Among the most critical elements are infinite scrolling of content, autoplay of videos, push notifications, and highly personalized algorithms—mechanisms considered capable of increasing the risk of addiction. For this reason, the Commission is also developing a European age verification system that allows users to prove their age without sharing personal data with platforms.
At the same time, Brussels has intensified the controls provided by the Digital Services Act against Meta and TikTok, contesting the potentially “addictive” design of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The investigations concern features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendation systems and could result in fines of up to 6% of the companies’ global turnover. Meta and TikTok have rejected the allegations, claiming they have already introduced protection tools for younger users, such as Instagram’s Teen Accounts. YouTube, owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is also part of the debate.
DIVIDED GOVERNMENTS AND EXPERTS’ DOUBTS
The Commission’s proposal comes as the number of governments in favor of age limits for social media access grows. France, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Poland, Austria, Ireland, and the Netherlands are considering or have already announced restrictions. France aims to ban social media for under-15s, Spain proposes a 16-year limit, and Greece will introduce restrictions for under-15s from January 1, 2027.
The expert group also believes that Member States can choose higher thresholds than those possibly set by the Union, based on the precautionary principle.
Estonia, writes the Guardian, represents the main voice against generalized bans. According to Tallinn, regulating platforms would be more effective than banning access, since minors would still manage to circumvent any age-based restrictions.
The experts themselves also urge caution regarding the choice of age threshold. While defining the 10 to 13 age range as the most vulnerable, they observe that there is not yet sufficient solid data to determine with certainty whether the limit should be set at 14, 15, or 16 years and remind that some social media features can have negative effects even on adults.
